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(No Modelr.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

` M. R. JEWELL.

METAL` SHELVING. N0. 395,328. Patented Jan. l, 1889.

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METAL SEELVING.

No. 395,328. Patented Jan. l, 1,889.

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METAL SHBLVING. No. 395,328. Patented Jan. 1, 1889.

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sustained.

ITTED STATES erich,

PATENT M. ROMEYN JEIVEIJIT, OF ROCHESTER, NET YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SCI'ILICHT dr FIELD COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IVIETAL SHELVING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 395,328, dated January 1, 18:89.

Application filed June 24, 1887- Serial Na/12,351. (No model.)

To @ZZ 107mm it may concern.-

Bc it known that I, M. ROME YN JEwELL, of Rochester, in the county ot' Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain Improve ments in Metal Shel ving', of Awhich the following is a specification.

The aim of my invention 'is to provide a system ot' shelving which may be cheaply manufactured, reduced to a compact t'orm t'or storage or transportation, speedily erected when required, which shall be tire-proof, and which shall admit of the shelving being adjusted in height at will. f

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view illustrating my shelving and the manner in which .it is formed and united in sections connected with each other. Fig. 2 is a perspective view ot one ot the standards or supportin rames. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one ot' the shelves. Fig. +L is a vertical section it'rom front to rear in the piane of the shelf-supports on the line l Tl ot' Fig.

Fig. is a horizontal section on the line 2 2 Fig. L Fig. (i is a transverse vertical section on the line E 3 ot fl `igs. -L and Fig. 7 is a cross-section ot" one ot' the metal shelves. Fig. S is a horizontal section through one oi. the rear standards or supports, looking' upward, and showing' the manner in which it connected to the top ot' the case. Fig. i) is a longitudinal vertical section. showing a modification ot. the manner ot' connecting the shelves to their supports. Fig. i() is a perspective view showing detached from each other the several parts t'orsn p porting the tootot' one of the standards. Figs. il and l2 are respectively a top plan view and a side view of the shelf-supports in modi tied torni. Fig. i3 is a modified construction ot the foot-pieces. Fig. 1i is a viewillustrating the manner of applying the wooden shelf in place of the metal shelf illustrated in the other tigures.

In my system I employ a series of short shelves, commonly oi' metal, and sustain them at the ends by frames or standards, each lstandard consisting of a front and a rear post,

and of a series of vertically-adjustable crossbars, on which the ends of the shelves are The shelves and standards are made in duplicate, and each of the standards is adapted to sustain two series of shelves meeting' :t'rom opposite sides end to end, so that by the addition ot' standards and shelves the system may be lengthened indeiinitely.

In carrying my invention into ett'ect I provide two or more stami'lards or cross-trames, A, such as illustrated in Fig. i), and a series o't metallic shelves, B, such as shown in Fig. 3. Fach standard or cross-trame A consists of a t'ront post, a, and a rear post, a', provided with suitable feet or cross-connections to maint-ain them in an upright position, and with adjustable cross-bars l, to sustain the ends ot the shelves.

The `posts-are made of cast or rolled metal, preferably of a T t'orm in cross-section, with notches or teeth c on the inner edges, to receive the dogs by which the cross-bars are sustained. These bars b are preferably made ot' strapdron, endless, and oi' such torm as to encircle the two posts, as shown in Fig'. 5, and prevent them from spreading or separating'. The sustaining-dogs consist each of a lever, d, pivoted at d to and withinv the cross-bar, and provided at one end with a roller, d?, to enter the notches in the adjacent post. The roller-journal d? is extended so that its ends bear against the under edges oi the cross-bar, as shown in Figs. 5 and t3, whereby the lever is relieved from strain and the cross-bar supported from the post directly through the roller, the lever serving simply as a means for adjust-ing the roller and retaining' it in position. The roller is used to reduce the friction and admit ot' the parts being easily disengaged. It may be omitted and the jonrnal d3 allowed to engage directly with the post. The two levers d terminate near each other, so that they may be grasped and operated simultaneously with one hand, in order to release both ends ot the bar b and admit of its being raised or lowered, as demanded. Then the levers are released, the parts engage autoinatically and sustain the bar in its new position.

On their outer sides the bars Z1 are provided with studs or ears d5, to engage and carry the ends of the shelves, as hereinafter explained; but in a modified construction, also hereinafter described, these studs may be omitted.

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The shelves B are formed each from a single sheet of metal having its front edge turned downward, as shown in Fig. 7, in order to give the requisite strength and rigidity and adapt the shelf to carry its load without having supports between its ends. The rear edge of the shelf is turned upward, as shown. at 1; in Fig.

7, in order to serve as a stop to limit the back. ward movement of books placed thereon. The two ends of the shelf are bent downward, as shown at e, and provided with notches f to receive the before-mentioned studs (Z5 on the cross-bar.

In erecting the structure the standards A are placed at a distance apart corresponding to the length of the shelves, and preferably fixed in position by serewin them to the `[ioor or attaching them to the walls. rIhe shelves are then introduced between them, and the ends of the shelf engage bot-h the studs (Z5 of the cross-bars l), as shown in Figs. l and (i.

If preferred, the studs (Z5 may be omitted and the ends of the shelves extended so that their flanges e will engage over and within the edges of the cross-bars, as shown in Fig. 9. In order to adjust the shelf, it is only neeessary for the operator to grasp the levers of the cross-bars which sustain ,its two ends between the thumb and finger and lift the same until the rollers are disengaged from thepost, whereby the shelll may be raised or lowered, using the levers as handles, until it reaches the required point, where it will be automatically locked on releasing the levers.

It is to be noted as a peculiar feature of this invention that it vis not necessary to dis connect the shelves from their supports in order to effect their adjustment. Itis also to be noted that the arrangement admits of the two ends of the shelves beingadjusted at the same time by one person.

I have represented the levers (l as made of strap-iron, bent or doubled into a U form; but they may be cast or otherwise formed, il' preferred, the essence of the invention consisting in the use of movable dogs in the ends of the cross-bars to engage the sustaining-post.

The posts may be sustained and secured at their lower ends in any suitable manner; but I prefer to make use of blocks or foot-pieces C-such as shown in Figs. l, 2, and ,l0-applying one of these blocks to each of the posts, and engaging the two posts of each standard by a cross-bar, I), attached tothe foot-pieces, as shown.

The toot-piece consists of a casting, fz', having ears or lugs to receive ,fastening-screws, a vertical rod, j, to receive the lower end of the post, a removable block, 7u, grooved to receive the post and secured against the saine and upon the block by a bolt, l, the bolt serv ing to draw the parts together, so as to clamp the post firmly between' them. At its inner side the block /L' is provided with a vertical slot, M, to receive the cross-bar D, which is -secured therein by one or more transverse screws or pivots, m. The parts are so fitted as to prevent play or movement between them, whereby they are adapted to hold the posts rigidly in their upright position and prevent them from swinging laterally or tipping' ["orward.

In place of the foot-piece shown in Fig. i() a foot-piece such as shown in Fig. i3 may be used. This is cast complete in one piece, with grooved sockets on its two ends to receive the posts,which are riveted therein.

lVhen it is desired to have the shelving present the form of a case or cabinet, a cap or top of any 'suitable character may be applied to the upper ends of the posts. In Figs. land 4, E represents the sheet of metal proper overlying the post, its forward end being bent downward and finished into an ornamental cornice. At its rear end itis turned downward against t-he rear faces of the posts. This cap maybe riveted or otherwise secured in place.

In order to give :ulditional stability to t-he structure, I propose to connect the upper ends of the two posts in each standard by a crossbar, o, having its ends riveted firmly to the posts, as shown.

Instead of providing the levers (l with the rollers or pivots to engage the posts, their ends may be arranged to engage directly in2 the posts, as shown in Figs. ll and l2.

In some cases it may be desirable to make use of wooden shelves. In such cases their ends will be rested directly upon the crossbar l), as shown in Fig. il; or theymay be provided with end plates of any suitable form adapted to engage the cross-bar.

IIaving thus described my iuven tion, what I claim isv I. Ina system of shelving, the toothed front and rear posts, (t o and the vertical ly-movable cross bars I), in combination with dogs mounted in the opposite end of each bar b to engage in the toothed posts, and adapted to be simultaneously disengaged therefrom by one hand, as set forth.

2. In a system of shelving, aseries of toothed posts, a a', and two or more shelves adjustable thereon in the same horizontal plane, in com` bination with the vertically-movable slotted cross-bar I), provided with studs d on each side to support the shelves, and the pivoted dogs concealed in the slotted bar to engage with the toothed posts, substantially as described. y

In a system of shelving, the posts a a and shelves I3, adjustable thereon, in combination with the slotted cross-bars b, having studs d5 for the shelves, and the U-shaped dogs d,piv oted on each end of the bars and having a roller mounted. in their engaging end, substantially as described.

4. In a system of shelving, the posts a aV and the cross-bars b, adjustable thereon and'provided with the studs df", in combination with the sheet-metal shelf B, having its sides bent downward, as shown, to forin strength ening-tlanges, and provided with notches f,

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adapted to engage the studs on the Cross-bars, In testimon7 whereof I hereunto set my substantially as and forthe purpose specified. hand in the presence of two attesting' wit- 5. In Combination with the shelf-sustaining messes. bars, their Sustainin g'-dogs, the posts a a', with Y 5 which the dogs engage, the foot-blocks secured M. ROME YN .IEVELL to the posts, and the cross-bars D, Connecting said blocks.

Witnesses: .(5. In eonxhinzttiolx with the posts ct a' and F. B. I-IUTCHINSON,

cross-hm- D, the foot-blocks ft', eaoh having T. R. ALLEN. o slot M, groove j, and block bolted in place. 

